When Jesus Returns: The Gathering of His People (Lesson I)

With each generation that passes we become further and further away from Yahweh and his laws and commandments. The earth, at the present time, is pretty much full, it is just about at the capacity, when Yahweh will soon consume the earth with the increase of transgression and defiance; therefore, it is important for us not to fall short in these latter days. Yahushua makes it very clear that as faithful servants it is important that we watch and pray.

Our beginning scripture is from the book of Mark 13:32-33 and it reads, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” A few people during these latter ends claim to know the time, date, and day of Yahushua’s return; however, we just read in Mark that no one knows when that day and hour will be. Only Yahweh knows his days. We know that we are in the season because Yahweh has given us signs to watch out for. With that said, we know that this is the last generation because we recognize the signs.

Now let’s briefly recap what we went over on Wednesday’s lesson regarding what will happen before Yahushua comes through those clouds, so that we can continue the process of sealing this knowledge in our foreheads, so that this day will not take us by surprise. And if you’ve missed this lesson you can certainly find it in Blogtalkradio.com under its title which is The Return of Yahushua: A Day of Darkness by In The Spirit Ministries.

Now remember from our lesson that it will be a bright afternoon that suddenly turns into thick darkness. You may be having lunch, driving, walking along the road, watching television, cooking, sleeping, shopping and then suddenly the day will turn into complete darkness. We know from scriptures that the moon will turn into blood or as some will say wine, but in any case the moon will be red. So it will be a dark day with a red moon. We know that there will be a great and mighty shaking, a great earthquake, and rocks will be falling from the sky. Remember this will be the outer picture of the world before Yahushua returns.

In addition to this, there is going to be so much chaos and confusion because people who haven’t read and studied the scriptures won’t know what is going on. They will be running to and fro trying to escape the calamity at hand. And remember it is going to be dark, a darkness that we’ve never seen before. There will not be a star in sight and the moon will not give us brightness.

So when you see these things happening remember for Yahweh’s faithful servants there is no need to panic nor be sore afraid. We know that Yahweh is not angry with us. We know that his wrath will not be geared toward us. This is a time that we can rejoice. This is a time that we can dance like David danced. When we see these events happening we know that we will be shortly going home to our inheritance. To a land flowing with milk and honey; this a land that was promised to our forefathers.

Now listen closely: Before the wrath of Yahweh, he has promised his people, the remnant of Israel, an escape. Let’s turn to Isaiah 11:11-13 and it reads, And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up and ensign (now this word ensign in Hebrew means signal) for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Remember as stated earlier Yahweh has left us signs to look for.

Now lets go down to verse 16 “And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. Now remember when the Israelites were fleeing Egypt, and Pharoah and all his chariots and men were right on their trail, and the children of Israel stopped at the crossing of the Red Sea wondering, what now, how do we cross this sea a body of water on foot? Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and Yahweh caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land, and the waters divided making the children of Israel to walk upon dry land.

You can read more of this in Exodus the 14^th Chapter. The parting of the Red Sea begins in verse 21 and goes all the way to the end of the chapter. Now notice that Yahweh caused the sea to divide all that night. There were hundreds of thousands of Israelites, it wasn’t 50 or 60. It was in the hundreds of thousands. And Yahweh has promised us a similar escape.

So let’s stay in the book of Isaiah for a while, because it is in the book of this major prophet Isaiah where Yahweh speaks of his promises. Let’s go to Isaiah 14:1-4 and it reads, “For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were, and they shall rule over their oppressors. And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from they sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, that thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! The golden city ceased!”

Notice Yahweh is going to have mercy on Jacob and will choose Israel. Now let me just say this before we go any further. We know from scriptures in Genesis 32:28 and Genesis 35:10, that Yahweh changed Jacob’s name to Israel. So when we say Israel we are still referring to Jacob, not the country Israel. Some people get that confused. When we say Israelites we are still referring to the seed of Jacob, or the children of Israel, when we make reference to the 12 Tribes we are referring to the 12 Tribes of Israel, the offspring of Jacob. Those who are living in Israel at the present time are called Israelis, they are not the Israelites. The Israelites are not there, they haven’t been in the land since 70 A.D., they were scattered into the four corners of the earth.

The Hebrew Israelites of the Bible have been scattered into the four corners of the earth, scripture makes that very, very clear. Yahweh has made the remembrance of them cease from among men and has had them placed in a land among strangers, in the land of the heathen. In a land that is not theirs, in a land that was not promised to Abraham. They were scattered because they continuously rebelled against Yahweh; they continuously did wicked deeds; worshiped other gods; sacrificed their children and made them pass through the fire; they contacted familiar spirits; they were very disobedient with numerous abominations all done in the sight of Yahweh; they were a forward, stiff-necked people, children in whom there was no faith. Deuteronomy Chapter 32 will explain all of this as well as other chapters and verses, right up until the book of Jeremiah 17:4 when our Father decided to turn his face upon the Israelites. It reads, “And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.”  

We can also begin to really feel the separation; in Isaiah 59:1-2 where it reads, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Who is he talking to in this verse? He’s talking to the children of Israel. And in the book of Lamentations you can feel the sorrow of the author who just weeps for the children of Israel. Always keep in mind that the children of Israel, Jacobs children, the Israelites are scattered nobody is currently in the land. However, Yahweh has promised to gather his chosen people and take them to the land promised to Abraham when he made his covenant with him.

That was just a little bit of history on that subject. History books and what people think or assume may not always coincide with the history of the Bible unless it’s proven with scripture. History doesn’t back up the Bible—the Bible is history and speaks for itself. The Bible is the only book where scripture backs up scripture.

There’s a lot involved with the gathering of his chosen people, so we probably will have to have more than three lessons on the subject and if we need more time, then we will definitely spend more time on this subject.

Let’s go to Isaiah 43:5-10 and it reads, “Fear not for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth, Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? Let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”

We see in this scripture that Yahweh is going to gather his people those whom he has chosen for his glory from the north, south, east and west, his sons and his daughters. So that let’s us know further that the children of Israel are not in the land at the present time. As you can see in scripture they are scattered throughout the four corners of the earth, north, south, east, and west.

If we go back and read verse ten it clearly states that Yahweh has chosen them. Throughout the Old Testament he has stated plenty of times that he is the GOD OF ISRAEL (Remember not the country Israel.) The children of Israel were to be a light for the Gentiles. Let’s read Isaiah 61:9 “And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.” And in this particular verse, check in your Strong’s Concordance, the word “Gentiles” means nations.

Now a great number of people do not want to see nor believe that Yahweh has a chosen people. Or it could be, in their defense, that Yahweh has shut their eyes as it is stated in Isaiah 44:18 “They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.” With that being said and although there are scriptures that make this very clear, Yahweh has blinded them, and I’m sure he has his reasons; thus, being everything is done for his purpose, his pleasure, and to fulfill his prophecy.  So Yahweh is coming back for his remnant the firstfruits. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also the Greek.” The children of Israel are the firstfruits they are Yahweh’s remnant.

Now let’s go to Isaiah 54:7-8; 10 and it reads, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but wilt everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.” Verse ten “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” We see here that Yahweh is coming for his people.

Let’s Luke 21:36, and it reads, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Again from the New Testament, Yahushua is telling us again to watch and pray.

Let’s read our last verse here for this teaching in the book of Jeremiah 32:37-42 “Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.”

There you have it: When we reflect on history these verses right here in Jeremiah tell the story of a people who have been oppressed in a land that is not theirs. Oppressed by their enemies, whose rock is not as our Rock. A people who are in a land where the remembrance of them has ceased from among men; a people who are in a land where they cannot prosper; a people who are in a land where they are considered inferior; a people who are in a land whose culture is not their culture; a people who are in a land where the language is not the language of their ancestors; a people who are in a land where there is no peace; a people who are in the land where the laws are not the laws of Yahweh. Selah. Ponder over that for a while as we end our teaching tonight.

Our closing scripture is from the book of Jeremiah 33:14, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.” Yahweh will definitely keep his promise and gather his chosen people to the land of their inheritance. Shalom.

When Jesus Returns: The Gathering of His People (Lesson II)

Let's begin with our opening scripture for this lesson is in the book of John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” 

Children of Israel, we are Yahushua’s sheep, the salt of the world, we want to be found worthy to escape the calamity that will shortly fall upon this earth, and to stand before the Son of man without blemish.    

Now let’s briefly recap The Return of Yahushua: A Day of Darkness.  Now with regard to what will happen before Yahushua comes through those clouds, remember from our lesson that it will be a bright afternoon that suddenly turns into thick darkness. You may be having lunch, driving, walking along the road, watching television, cooking, sleeping, shopping and then suddenly the day will turn into complete darkness. We know from scriptures that the moon will turn into blood or as some will say wine, but in any case the moon will be red. So it will be a dark day with a red moon. We know that there will be a great and mighty shaking, a great earthquake, and rocks will be falling from the sky. Remember this will be the outer picture of the world before Yahushua returns.

    

In addition to this, there is going to be so much chaos and confusion because people who haven’t read and studied the scriptures won’t know what is going on. They will be running to and fro trying to escape the calamity at hand. And remember it is going to be dark, a darkness that we’ve never seen before. There will not be a star in sight and the moon will not give us brightness.

Now after these things is the gathering of his chosen people. Now we know that Yahweh will recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set a sign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Remember Yahweh has left us signs to look for.

So when you see these things happening remember for Yahweh’s faithful servants there is no need to neither panic nor be sore afraid. We know that Yahweh is not angry with us. We know that his wrath will not be geared toward us. This is a time that we can rejoice and praise Yahweh for he has done exactly what he said he would. When we see these events happening we know that we will shortly go home to our inheritance, to a land flowing with milk and honey; a land that was promised to our forefathers.

One more review for those who are just joining us. The Jews of today practice Judaism. If you practice Judaism no matter what race you are, you are Jewish. The term Jew derived from the word “Judah” denoting family lineage, ethnicity, and race—not a religion. We know from scriptures in Genesis 32:28 and Genesis 35:10, that Yahweh changed Jacob’s name to Israel. So when we say Israel we are still referring to Jacob, not the country Israel. When we say Israelites we are still referring to the seed of Jacob, or the children of Israel, when we make reference to the 12 Tribes we are referring to the 12 Tribes of Israel, the offspring of Jacob.

Those who are living in Israel at the present time are called Israelis, they are not the Israelites. And they are definitely not the Hebrews of the Bible. The Israelites or Hebrews of the Bible are not there, they haven’t been in the land since 70 A.D., they were scattered into the four corners of the earth. Yahweh has made the remembrance of them cease from among men and has had them placed in a land among strangers. In a land that is not theirs, in a land that was not promised to Abraham. And he did this because they continuously rebelled against Yahweh; they continuously did wicked deeds; worshiped other gods; sacrificed their children, made them pass through the fire; they contacted familiar spirits; and basically they were very disobedient with numerous abominations all done in the sight of Yahweh. And our Father hid his face from them and you can read that in Jeremiah 17:4. But Yahweh is going to gather his people again as he promised.

And Yahushua will not come until the 7^th Trumpet. He’s not going to come here secretly and gather his people, then travel back to heaven, and then come back down—he’s not doing that. When Yahushua comes to this earth every eye will see him. It doesn’t say, only the believers will see him; nor does it say a certain group of people will see him. It says—every eye, as it’s stated in Revelation 1:7.

Also he’s coming with a shout, with the trump of Yahweh, and the sound of a trumpet executes a command. This means that something is getting ready to happen. So this will be loud event. You can also read this in the New Testament in I Thessalonians 4:16 where it reads, “For the LORD himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” So again, this will be a loud event, nothing will be done in secret. Also let’s go to Micah 2:12, and it reads, “I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.” And that word “Bozrah” and it means enclosure, sheepfold or fold.

So we notice from Micah 2:12 that not only will the coming of Yahushua and his angels be loud, but the gathering of the children of Israel will be loud also because of the multitude of people being gathered. So Yahweh will be picking out his sheep from among many people, from among the heathen, and from among our oppressors. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:13-14. Okay. Now the reason the Bible says Yahushua is coming as a thief in the night is because it will be unexpected. So if you know that your house is going to be robbed, you will be prepared and watch. And that’s what Yahushua wants us to do watch and be prepared, so this day will not catch us by surprise.

Also Yahushua is coming with his archangels. He’s not coming by himself he’s bringing his archangels with him. Now it doesn’t say how many of his archangels are coming but it is the angels that will be gathering his people throughout the four corners of the earth. So we can assume that it will be a great number. Now remember, don’t take the scriptures out of content and rewrite them, or add to them, the scriptures make it very clear that the angels are going to gather his elect, his chosen people. Let’s read in the book of Matthew 24:31 and it reads, “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” So we know from this scripture that the angels will be gathering Yahweh’s chosen people from the four corners of the earth.

Now this doesn’t mean that the saints or his faithful servants will not go to the kingdom or land. The difference is, Yahweh’s chosen people, also called the children of Israel, the Israelites, or Hebrew Israelites will inherit the land; Yahweh’s faithful servants will dwell in the land. So that’s the difference—the children of Israel inherit the land that was promised to Abraham—Yahweh’s faithful servants will dwell in the land, and the faithful servants are those that are not the children of Israel, they are not the seed of Jacob. 

So let’s read Isaiah 65:9 for assurance and it reads, “And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.” And that was from the book of Isaiah Chapter 65, verse 9. Now the word “elect” in Hebrew means to select, or choose. So you can check that word out in your Strong’s Concordance. Strong’s Concordance can also be obtained via the internet just Google Strong’s Concordance, and once on the site, enter your book of study, chapter and verse and it will give you the name in Hebrew or in Greek, the pronunciation, as well as the word’s meaning. The link is also provided in the description session of this lesson.

Let’s turn to the Old Testament to the book of Zechariah 8:12-15, Zechariah is the book before Malachi which is the last book in the Old Testament. So you have Zechariah then Malachi. And it reads, “For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall giver her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not: So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.”

Now remember this gathering of his chosen people, those elect found worthy to escape, has occurred after the thick darkness, after the moon turned into blood, after the rocks shall fall from the sky, after the mighty earthquake—the shaking of the earth. Then the gathering of his people occurs.

Now, those people that are left on the land will experience the wrath of Yahweh; including his faithful servants. But they too, the faithful servants, do not have anything to worry about, for Yahweh is not mad at them. Rocks, fire, brimstone, and plaques can fall all around them and it won’t touch them. Yahweh is not mad at them. We read about the saints still on earth in Revelation 14:12-13, and Daniel 12:12-13. The saints have to be patient and hold out just a little bit longer. Remember faithful servants will dwell on the land with the children of Israel; however, they will not inherit the land. Subsequently, only the children of Israel, those that are found worthy, will be gathered on that day. Yahweh has provided them, the children of Israel, an escape.

A lot of people do not want to hear nor believe that Yahweh has a chosen people; but the Bible makes it very clear that the children of Israel are his firstfruits, his chosen people. Now there are other races, minority races that help form the other tribes. Children of Israel, as II Timothy 2:15 says to “study to shew thyself approved unto Yahweh, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Now what happens at this gathering? Let’s read in the Old Testament in the book of Ezekiel 20:34-43 and it reads, “And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the LORD God.

Now, hold your place right there and turn to Micah 6:2-4 and we’re going to find out what this plead is, now a plead is a complaint or argument. So now in Micah chapter 6 verses 2-4, and it reads, “Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’s controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people; and he will plead with Israel. O my people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee: testify against me.” Yahweh’s saying what did I do to you, tell me? Verse 4, “For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” So this is the plead that is being referred to in Ezekiel Chapter 20.  Yahweh wants to know, what did I do to you that will make you do all of these wicked and abominable deeds? After everything I did for you. Don’t forget that Yahweh has feelings as well.

Now let’s go back to Ezekiel 20 starting in verse 37, “And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.”

Verse 39, “As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the LORD God; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols. For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the LORD God, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things, I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.”

Last verses 42 and 43, “And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers. And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall loath yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.” So once we’re face-to-face with Yahushua we’re going to feel so unworthy because we will remember that we haven’t been living right, at least not throughout our entire lives, And we will feel so humbled and unworthy and embarrassed because he knows all. Everything that we’ve done, including the sins of our youth, Yahushua knows all about it. However, if we’ve honestly repented before his return, and have strived to enter into his kingdom by walking uprightly, and have lived according to his commandments we know that those sins have been forgiven.

Remember, we don’t enter into his kingdom by being good, a lot of people think that if they are good, there’s nothing to worry about. Well an Atheist can be a good person; they just don’t believe in Yahweh. A person who specializes in Witchcraft or idolatry can also be a good person. There will be a lot of good people in hell. You must take up the cross daily. We will only enter into the kingdom by walking righteously, repenting and walking according to his commandments. You don’t get to heaven simply because you give to a charity once a month or once a year, or because you’re not a thief, or a murderer.

You don’t get to heaven because you helped an old lady, or old man cross the street, or because you helped a friend with their homework. You won’t enter into the promise land just because you’re good. It’s a combination of all of these mentioned and more, plus walking according to Yahweh’s commandments, and having a relationship with him. Luke 13:24 reads, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” That verse doesn’t say only a few people will seek to enter in, it says many.

Last point and then we’ll close. With regard to the gathering of his chosen people; there’s a lot of talk about learning how to transport, teleport, or learn the proper techniques for ascension. This is New Age thinking, a Satan doctrine. Yahweh’s chosen people do not have to learn how to spiritually ascension as they call it, teleport, nor transport themselves anywhere, we will be gathered by his angels. We don’t need an airplane or cruise ticket, Yahushua’s angels will gather us from the four corners of the earth. The only thing we have to do is watch and prepare.

Now we learned what will take place from the outer appearance before Yahushua returns to the earth. We know how the children of Israel will be gathered and we know what will happen at this gathering. What we haven’t studied is what will take place after the gathering. And that will be discussed in our next lesson.

Now our closing scripture is from the New Testament Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” There will come a day that the children of Israel will no longer have to work in vain to receive their promised rewards and treasures. This concludes are lesson for this evening. Shalom.

Yahushua's Return: A Day of Darkness

As we await Yahushua’s return let’s us remember that it is very important that we repent our sins daily to Yahweh in the name of Yahushua. (Now, just a little reminder here: Some people forget this and they pray to Yahushua, but we must remember that Yahushua is our intercessor—our only intercessor. Therefore, all prayers must be directed to Yahweh in the name of Yahushua, as it’s written in John 16:23-26.) It is important that we repent those sins that we have knowingly committed and those sins that we have committed unknowingly. Sometimes the flesh will have us believe that a lot of the things that we currently do or involve ourselves in, or with, are acceptable; however, when we begin to study Yahweh’s word, we may notice that a great number of our daily acts are not acceptable in the eyes of Yahweh.

Our opening scripture reading will be from the book of Mark 13:35-37 and it reads, “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

This teaching that we are getting ready to embark upon isn’t to scare you but rather prepare you. A lot of teachers and students shy away from this sort of teaching. For some may see this event very far off where it will not apply to them. Or that it is so far in the future that some can not begin to process or comprehend this event. Then there are some who are sore afraid and would rather not hear the details of that day. And some would just rather dismiss it as fairy tales; rather focusing on the fact that Yahushua is love and mercy and he would never do such a thing. Well, that is partly correct. Yahushua is a very loving and merciful Father, to those who love him, have chosen to follow him, and keep his commandments; subsequently, the Bible clearly states that there is a wrath to come when Yahushua returns to rule the earth as the KING OF KINGS and LORD of LORDS.  But it’s a glorious and marvelous day for our heavenly Father’s faithful servants. And I think the majority of our heavenly Father’s faithful servants, are ready to enter into the land that’s flowing with milk and honey. We are watching, we are waiting, we are listening for that 7^th Trump to sound, and if that 7^th Trump happens to be inaudible for our ears, we still are—ready, for we have noticed, and adhered to the signs. And Yahweh has provided many signs for us to watch out for, and to look for in these latter days.

Now let’s take a look at what that day will be like. What will happen? What can we expect? As faithful servants do we need to fear that day? Absolutely not! Now, let’s take a look at the scriptures and find out exactly what happens before Yahushua’s return. First we know from the book of Revelation 1:7 that every eye will see Yahushua including those that pierced him. Every eye will see him. Let’s study how the outer appearance of the skies will look, how in fact the world will look before that day, before every eye will see him coming through the clouds. Let’s turn your Bible’s to the minor prophet in the book of Joel Chapter 2:31. Now Joel is a very short book consisting of three chapters, it is right after Hosea and before the book of Amos. And please note: we will always be reading from the King James Version Bible. Ready…let’s read, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.”

Now notice the word before. If you have a Strong’s Concordance you will look this word up and see that it means at the front, or in front of;  therefore, we know that these signs will occur, the sun into darkness and the moon into blood, before Yahushua returns. So those will be the signs that we look for again, the sun into darkness and the moon into blood, before his coming.

 Please turn to Joel 2:2 and it reads, “A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it even to the years of many generations.” With that said, this event is only going to happen once, there wasn’t an event as such prior to this generation and there will not be an event such as this one after this generation. This event will never happen again.

Please turn to Isaiah 13:10 and it reads, “For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” Notice how we have other books that are also giving us the signs. We have Isaiah a major prophet preparing us for this day.

Now let’s turn to the next book of Amos Chapter 8:9 where Yahweh Elohim says,
 “…I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day: Who is going to do this? Yahweh Elohim, our heavenly Father is going to darken the day in the afternoon. We don’t have to worry about HARRP, global warming, or man manipulating the weather it is coming from our heavenly Father only. He is the one darkening the day.

Now let’s also look at something very interesting. Please go over to the New Testament in Matthew 27:45 this was immediately before Yahushua died on the cross. And it reads, “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.” And this is also stated in Mark 15:33; and Luke 23:44; notice that we read that darkness covered the land in all three of these scriptures before Yahushua died on the cross, and darkness will cover the land once again upon his return. There was darkness before his death and there will be darkness before his return. 

Yahushua shows us so many signs of how these events will take place and we see similar events before his death on the cross, and the events of his second coming, relating to our end-times; both revealing darkness; darkness upon his death and darkness upon his second coming. Does this mean that darkness will cover the land in the sixth hour again? Does this mean that it will be in the sixth hour being at noon? According to Amos 8:9 where Yahweh says, “I will cause the sun to go down at noon…” makes us believe that this is a possibility. However, when we read Mark 13:32 “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man…” Also Yahweh’s timings are not based on the tick of a clock; rather upon the moon and the sky. However, Yahweh gives us signs, and we can notice some similarities amongst the signs, but the best sign and the greatest sign is to—watch and be prepared!

Now we’ll remain in the book of Matthew 24:29-30a and this is when Yahushua’s disciples were asking him when will the end come and what shall the signs be? And it reads, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:...”

Now what the lost sheep of Israel and Yahweh’s faithful servants need to understand is once you see Yahushua coming through the clouds, that’s it. There is no last minute repenting. There is no gathering of personal belongings or clearing out your bank account, or gathering up silver and gold. The world has ended the 7^th Trump has sounded. Some people may assume that they can hurriedly repent at this time; however, let’s think about it, if Yahushua is our only intercessor and He’s down here, there’s no one up there to intercept our prayers. It will be too late and that is why it is imperative to repent daily and watch. A lot of people think that they will have time; They have time to make relationships right, they have time to get their house in order or they have time to repent of their unrighteous deeds; however, time is not on your side, because we are in the latter days. Therefore, repenting and studying Yahweh’s word is imperative.

We need to strive to take part in the first resurrection and not in the second resurrection. As Revelation tells us in the 20^th chapter verse 6, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power…” At the second death, you will no longer be judged on whether or not you believe in Yahushua because –you’ve seen him, you know he exists. At this time, at the second death, you will only be judged on your righteous acts, not on whether or not you believed that Yahushua was the Son of Elohim, was crucified, died, buried and resurrected. However, we will be discussing this further as we move along into our studies, but keep that near the forefront for now.

Please turn to Revelation 6:12-16 “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.”

In addition to this event being a day of darkness, it will also include a great earthquake. There will be a great shaking of the earth, and I don’t think a magnitude of this kind can be registered on the Richter scale. This will be a very frightening event for those who are unprepared and for those who have been living ungodly lives. But for Yahushua’s faithful servants their King has arrived! He has done exactly what he said he would do! He has returned! There will be no more sorrow, no more tears, no more hunger, no more war, no more strife, no more hatred, no more sickness, and no more pain; for the lamb will soon be in the midst of the throne and he shall feed his people, with peace and everlasting love.

Let’s briefly summarize so that we can begin the process of sealing this knowledge in our foreheads, so that this day will not take us by surprise. What have we learned thus far? We’ve learned that it will be a bright afternoon that suddenly turns into thick darkness. We know from scriptures that the moon will turn into blood or as some will say wine, but in any case the moon will be red. So it will be a dark day with a red moon. We know that there will be a great and mighty shaking, a great earthquake, and rocks will be falling from the sky. Remember this will be the outer picture of the world before Yahushua returns. In addition to this, there is going to be so much chaos and confusion because people who haven’t read the scriptures won’t know what is going on. They will be running to and fro trying to escape the calamity at hand. And remember it is going to be dark, a darkness that we’ve never seen before.

I know that this event may be a day of doom, and a day of gloom and even frightening for most. But in the midst of all of this, Yahweh’s faithful servants don’t have anything to worry about, Yahweh is not angry at you. He is not angry at us. His vengeance is not geared toward his faithful servants. Remember, the wrath is reserved for his enemies, and those who do not keep his commandments and those who do not walk uprightly. It is reserved for those who have rejected him and have turned their backs on him. It is reserved for those who have closed their ears to his teachings and to his laws.  

Let’s look into the book of Joel for more assurance in Chapter 3:15-16 “The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” See our heavenly Father will be our hope and our strength. And I’ll ask the question again. As faithful servants do we need to fear that day? Absolutely not!

And we are just about out of time. Our ending scripture will be in the book of Haggai 1:5 “Now therefore, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” Lost sheep of Israel pay attention to your ways so that you may be found worthy to hide and/or escape from the coming events. You don’t want to fall short during these latter days. For we know in Ezekiel 6:8 and Ezekiel 7:16 that Yahweh has set aside a remnant that shall escape the sword. Will you be found worthy to escape his sword?

We are living in an amazing time. Stay in Yahweh’s word and spread the word of his return. For one day with the LORD is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. There are scattered sheep among you, let’s get them prepared. Shalom.